GV 828 
■ N56 
Copy 1 



REPORT 



MsasureiueRt+SomiTiiUee 



NEW YORE YAgHT 6LDB, 



Hew yo^l{. 



MAY 9TH, 1883. 



\ 



lOQEBT, PRINTfR AND STATIONER, 72 JOHN ST . N 



,754 



37031 



EEPOET OF COMMITTEE ON MEASXJEE- 
MENT. 



Your Committee considered that they would be carrying out the de- 
sires of the Club, and acting in the spirit that prompted their appoint- 
ment, by considering the subject only in its broadest sense. They also 
kept before their eyes the fact that the New York Yacht Club has been, 
and is, the leading Club in this country, and that therefore any important 
action taken by it, like the one they are about to recommend, would 
commend itself to the careful consideration of other clubs, if not perhaps 
influence its adoption, particularly if the action was broad in its nature, 
rather than selfish. 

That so long as vessels of various sizes and types are raced against one 
another, it would be impossible to formulate a system of time allowance 
which would not affect, in the opinion of the owner or owners, at least, 
some one or more vessels, apparently unjustly. 

That the time had gone by when any progressive or representative 
Yacht Club could afford, through its system of measurement, to virtually 
dictate how a yacht, to enter its races, should or should not be built. 

That the system to be reported should be simple as to the manner of 
obtaining the necessary measurements and making the calculations, its 
readiness of application, and its adaptation to the length of course to be 
sailed over, and that it should not discriminate against any particular 
type of vessel. 

That the vested interests in the Club are both large and valuable, and 
that your Committee should therefore give due consideration to the pres- 
ent as well as to the future. 

That the Club List includes many different types of vessels, and that 
no rule would be complete that did not enable the various representa- 
tives of those types to compete with one another without separate 
classification. 

Your Committee considered the different systems in use, in themselves 
and by comparison with one another, using well known representatives 



of the different types of vessels, and then in the same manner, various 
systems that suggested themselves as likely to forsvard the object in view. 

They came to the conclusion that any system that taxed either breadth, 
depth, or bulk, each by itself, would favor or foster an opposite quality, 
and should therefore be rejected. 

That length is the principal element for speed, but that length alone 
would tend to produce to an undesirable extent some one of the forego- 
ing attributes. 

That it would be impracticable to directly modify length by any one 
of the elements as stated, for the reasons mentioned. 

That bulk, beam, or depth with outside ballast, or a combination of the 
last two, with either or both modified, or in other words, "power" or 
abilit}' to carry sail, was the next most important element, and found 
direct expression in the sail plan or area of sail, which could therefore 
be used as the modifying factor of length without singling out any of the 
before mentioned elements, or limiting the owner or designer in his par- 
ticular fancy for form or type — and that as an expression of this power, 
only such sails as are ordinarily carried when sailing to windward could 
be justly considered. 

And your Committee have therefore come to the conclusion that 
length in some form, modified by sail area in some form, should be 
the principle adopted. And the correctness of this decision has been 
acquiesced in by most of the representatives of the Clubs we have been 
in communication with, either in person at many of our meetings, or by 
letter. And since this Committee began its labors and reached its con- 
clusions, the Yacht Racing Association of Great Britain has taken up 
the subject, and has advised the adoption of a similar principle, as the 
only means of checking the evils which have arisen from taxing directly 
some one or more of the elements, as herein stated, and allowing other 
elements to go free. 

Your Committee also came to the conclusion that the allowance, as at 
present existing, between standard Yachts generally to be found entered 
in the races of the Club, was a fair one in most cases, and had given 
general satisfaction, although there existed glaring exceptions, and that 
any great departure from that standard would be unadvisable; and in 



their efforts to formulate an acceptable time allowance they have there- 
fore kept that fact in view. 

They are of opinion that they might have allowed sail area to appear 
as a more important factor than to the extent they have decided to re- 
commend, and a consideration of the working of the rule would indicate 
that this might have been done without injustice to any type of boat, but 
in the introduction of sail area, as a factor in a rule of measurement for 
time allowance, they were desirous of not giving too much importance 
to an element which it has been the custom of the Club, heretofore, to 
leave out of consideration altogether. 

It has been found that in Yachts of normal type, the square root of 
the sail area expressed in square feet is about equal to the length on 
water line, and therefore, as comparable with the latter, would indicate 
a departure from the normal type in the direction of increased or di- 
minished sail area — in other words, a heavily rigged vessel would be 
taxed, the ordinary type go free, and the snugly rigged boat be 
benefited. 

As stated before, length was considered to be the principal element 
for speed, and to preserve it as such, and to give to it its full import- 
ance, and also to adhere to the standard of relative differences between 
vessels, before referred to, it was found expedient to take twice the length 
on w^ater line added to the sail area. 

In recommending these indicated respective proportions, your Com- 
mittee were the more satisfied, from the feeling that the nature of the 
principle they were recommending was so elastic and adaptable, that 
after an experience of its working, it would be a very simple matter to 
alter any of the proportions which were found to require re-adjusting. 

It was accepted as a fact that overhang had a value, varj-ing according 
to the shape of boat, but that it would be difficult, or almost impossible, 
to formulate a general rule that would tax all shapes equitably, and that 
to tax any portion of it as a part of the whole of it, would be to give the 
same importance to it as to the body of the boat, and it w^as therefore, 
and in addition, not thought of sufiicient importance to outweigh con- 
siderations of simplicity in measurement, and freedom to the owner or 
designer in carrying out ideas as to finish or grace of outline, particu- 



larly as under the present measurement of the Club, overhang has been 

practically ignored. 

Stated in a formula the foregoing is 2L + i/area, the divisor 3 being 

3 
merely used to approximate the figures to the actual length, so as 

to facilitate the use of the ordinary tables for time allowance and to pro- 
vide figures convenient for purposes of comparison and registry; the 
result being entitled "Measurement for Time Allowance." It was de- 
cided that it would be impracticable and objectionable, for obvious 
reasons, to obtain sail area by taking actual sail measurements, which are 
ever varying — and your Committee therefore came to the conclusion that 
for the purpose of ascertaining area, certain specified measurements on 
the spars only be taken, in manner as follows: 

A Perpendicular Line to be taken along the after-side of the mainmast 
from the under-side of the gaft- topsail block or sheave on topmast to the 
upper-side of boom, when resting on the saddle or on the lowest part of 
gooseneck, the distance of which point from the main-deck or house- 
deck to be recorded by the measurer, together with the other points 
used in measurements. 

A Base Line to be taken from the bee-hole or point of contact of the 
jibstay on bowsprit, or flying-jibstay on jibboom, in a straight line to the 
end of the mainboom, with one-quarter {j^) of the length of gaff", mea- 
sured from after-side of mast to end, added thereto. 

To obtain area from these figures the usual formula for obtaining the 
area in square feet of a triangle is to be followed, namely Base multiplied 
by the Perpendicular and divided by two. 

Length to be measured from the fonvard side of stem at the water- 
line to the water-line at stern wherever found. This measurement to be 
taken when the yacht is afloat and in her ordinary trim, and with the 
crew, if aboard, stationed amidships. The measurer, at the time of tak- 
ing his measurement, to affix a distinctive mark at each point. To the 
square root of the area, as ascertained, add twice the length as ascer- 
tained, divide the sum by three, and the result is the Measurement for 
Time Allowance. 

Any change in these measurements to be reported by the owners, as 
customary, to the measurer. 



These measurements are to be taken when the sails are down, and can 
be obtained, and the necessaiy calculations made in a few minutes at 
any time, and of course can be verified with the same facility by the 
owner, or by the measurer of another club. 

The Time Allowance table is based on the accepted rule that relative 
speeds vary as the square roots of relative lengths, and that, as these rela- 
tive speeds are only developed in strong winds and under the most favor- 
able circumstances, a scale of allowance giving four-tenths d*) of the differ- 
ences will, in the opinion of your Committee, constitute an equitable 
table for use in the average weather in which races are sailed. 

This table being made for one mile can easily be adapted to courses of 
any length. 

For the information of the members and for purposes of comparison 
the Committee have appended; — a table showing the allowances as at 
present in the New York, Eastern and Atlantic Clubs, the Proposed 
allowance and one of the Experimental allowances, as affecting certain 
representative yachts of different types. 

A table showing the proposed allowance as affecting as many yachts as 
they could obtain measurements of 

A diagram illustrating the manner in which the proposed measure- 
ments are taken, and a diagram showing the curves of different systems 
of time allowance. 

And an Allowance Table calculated for one mile. 

Your Committee do not vouch for the exactness of all these figures, as 
the data at their disposal were difficult to obtain, and not as complete as 
could be desired. 

The Time Allowance Table does not go over 120 feet, as they are of 
the opinion that there should be no allowance between vessels measur- 
ing over that figure in sailing length — as by the proposed rule. 

Your Committee, as a consequence of the adoption of the system they 
are reporting to the Club, and to make it consistent with one of the ob- 
jects which they have had in view, recommend the abolition of the dis- 
tinction between keel and centre-board which now exists, and a re-classi- 
fication as follows: 



SCHOONERS. 
Class I. To comprise all those whose measurement for Time Allow- 
ance length is loo feet and over. 

Class 2. All those of less than lOO feet and not under 80 feet. 
Class 3. All those of less than 80 feet. 

SLOOPS. 
Class I. All of 55 feet and over. 

Class 2. All those less than 55 feet and not under 45 feet. 
Class 3. All under 45 feet. 

The heavy red lines on the Table of Proposed Allowance will show 
the working of this classification. 

And your Committee have drawn up the amendments rendered neces- 
sary to accomplish this result, and to make consistent certain portions 
of existing rules of the Club which will be affected by their report, if 
adopted. 

They will also recommend that, as customary before this last year, a 
cup be offered to Keel Schooners, in case any should prefer to sail by 
themselves in that class. This would have the effect of reducing the 
number of cups to be offered at the June Regatta from 14 to 7. 

Your Committee, in closing their report, cannot help adding that 
they are confident that the adoption of the principle they recommend, 
by all or most of the prominent Clubs in this country, would accom- 
plish results in fostering yachting and giving to it an impetus, the import- 
ance and extent of which can hardly be realized now, and the initiating 
and carrying out of which could not fail to redound to the credit of the 
Club under whose auspices it was accomplished, and remain a red-letter 
page in its annals. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

A. Cary Smith, 
Anson Phelps Stokes, 
Charles Warren Lippitt, 
C. Smith Lee, 
J. Frederic Tams, 

New York, May ylh, 1883. Commiitcc. 



TIME ALLOWANCE. 



The proposed Allowance is based upon the assumption that speed 
can be obtained in proportion to the square roots of the lengths of 
vessels. 

Let L represent the length of the larger boat, and 1 the length of the 
smaller boat. The speed of the larger boat is to the speed of the 
smaller boat as the square root of the length of larger boat is to the 
square root of the length of the smaller boat. 

Or, VL is to vT 

The table is based upon the time taken to sail one mile. Therefore 

the formula would become 

Time . ^ Time. 

IS to 

VL V\ 

The time taken as a basis is i hour or 3,600 seconds; but it has been 

found by practice that this would make the allowance too large, and 

four-tenths d^ of 3,600 seconds, which is 1,440 seconds, has been taken, 

and the formula becomes Allowance 

1,440 1,440 



V\ VL 

This result, multiplied by the length of course, will give the allow- 
ance in seconds. 

RULE FOR ASCERTAINING ALLOWANCES. 

To find the Time one Yacht allows another: 

Subtract the time opposite the length of larger yacht from the time 
opposite the length of smaller yacht, and multiply the remainder by 
the length of course, and the result is the Allowance in seconds. 

To find the Time for fractions of i foot: 

What time will a yacht 48 feet long allow one 46 feet 6 inches long? 



8 



SEC. DEC. 



Time opposite 46 ft 85-99 

Time opposite 47 ft 83. 73 



2.26 
One half of difference =1.13 would be time for 6 inches. 

Add to time opposite 47 ft 

= time for 46 ft. 6 in 



From this subtract time opposite 48 ft 

Time 48 feet will allow 46 feet 6 inches for one mile. 
Multiply by length of Course 

= Allowance in seconds 

Divide by 60 = Allowance in minutes and seconds. . 



83-73 


1-13 


84.86 


81.52 


3-34 


40 miles. 


133.60 


iMIN. SEC. 


2.13 



o 

w 
p 
o 

o 



o 

I 

O 
< 

p 




Table Showing allowances Under Various Systems of 
Measurement. 



Name of Yacht. 



Tidal Wave. . 

Intrepid 

Montauk . . . 
Madeleine. . 
Halcyon .... 
Crusader. . . . 

Comet 

Peerless 

Gracie 

Bedouin .... 
Mischief. . . . 

Valkyr 

Fanita '. 

Vixen 

* Estimated. 



io8 

lOO 

95 
95 
79 
8i 

73 
66 

71 
70 
6i 

47 
46 
46 



Proposed. 


.00 


1.50 


5-49 


4.11 


12.40 


11.34 


16.46 


23.12 


.00 


1.40 


6 08 



23.00 

23.50 

23 33 



2 


.44 


4 


46 


S 


II 



N. Y. Y. C. £. Y. C. 

Cubic p 4. 2^ 

Contents. ^"? 



2 56 

o 00 

'I3I 
4.38 



19 


12.30 


02 


13.06 


45 


16.40 


03 


23 32 


13 


.00 


00* 


6.09 


01 


7 45 


26 


24.36 


44* 


23.02 



04 



A. Y. C. 


L + \/A 


.00 


.00 


3.06 


2.07 


5 24 


5.22 


5-24 


2.56 


14.50 


10.22 


'3 40 


11.28 


19.09 


15.08 


25. 20 


21 .42 


.00 


.00 


•49 


1.15 


9.00 


336 


25.18 


22.22 


27.09 


21.34 


27.09 


21 34 



Proposed Time allowance in Minutes and Seconds. 



^ i 



SGHOOIiERS 



Dauntless 
Vesta .... 
Norseman 
Wanderer 
Tidal Wave. 
Palmer. . 
Intrepid. 



Columbia 
Madeleine, 
Idler. . . . 
Montauk 
Phantom 
Varuna . 
Crusader 
Halcyon 
iEolus. . 
Clytie . . 
Estelle. . 



Magic . 
Comet . 



116.7 
98 

113 

106 

T08 
104 
100 



115. 1 

114 .0 
109.8 

105.0 

104 -3 
100.8 
100.3 



.00 

.09 

2.07 

4. II 

4.30 
6.07 
6.20 



9».o 
95 6 
96.6 
92.5 
86.5 
86.1 
82.6 
81.0 
80 4 
80.3 
80.0 



7.28 

8.41 

7-53 
10. 19 

13 43 

16.07 
17. 10 
17-37 
17.38 
17.50 



SCHOON 



Albatross. . . 

Clio 

Peerless. , . . 
iFrolic 



72.7 
68. 
66. 
49- 



ERS. 

68 
61 



$LOOl»S 



Gracie . . . . . 

iJulia 

Pocahontas , 
Bedouin . . . 

Fannie. 

Mischief. . . 
Arrow .... 



71- 
70.5 
67. 10 
70.0 
65.8 
61 .0 
61 .0 



78.5 
75-1 



18.51 
21 . 16 



Eclipse , 
Oriva . . , 
Regina. 
Valkyr. 
Vixen. . 
Fanita . 
Rover . . 



50.1 
51 o 
47-3 
47-4 
46.0 
46.0 
41.8 



Volante . . . ! 40.0 



41.9 



22.42 
26.44 
27.42 
48 12 



56 

1 .40 

3 30 

6 

6 



35 



52 



34 



Time Allowance in Seconds and Decimals 

For One Mile Course. 

Note. — Yachts over 120 feet shall be classed as 120 feet. 



Measure- 
ment. 


Allowance. ; 


Measure- 
ment. 


Allowance. 


Measure- 
ment. 


Allowance. 


Measure- 
ment. 


Allowance. 


130 


.00 


105 


14.21 


80 


34.68 


55 


67.84 


129 


•49 


104 


14.87 


79 


35.68 


54 


69.64 


128 


.98 


103 


15-56 


78 


36.73 


53 


71-47 


127 


1.48 


102 


16.25 


: jy 


37-79 ' 


52 


73.36 


126 


^•99 • 


lOI 


16.96 


76 


38.86 , 


51 


7532 


125 


2.50 


; 100 


17.67 


75 


39-95 


50 


77-3^ 


124 


3 02 


99 


18.40 


. 74 


41 07 


49 


79-38 


123 


3-54 


: 98 


19-13 


73 


42.20 1 


48 


81.52 


122 


4.07 


97 


19.89 


72 


43-38 


47 


83.73 


121 


4.60 


^ 96 


20.65 


71 


44.56 


46 


85-99 


120 


5-15 


95 


21.42 


70 


45-79 


45 


88.33 


119 


5-71 


94 


22.20 


69 


47-03 


44 


90.76 


118 


6 27 


93 


23.00 


68 


48.30 


43 


93.28 


117 


6.83 


92 


23.81 


i 67 


49.60 


, 42 


95.89 


116 


7.40 


91 


24.62 


1 66 


50.92 


1 41 


98.56 


115 


7.98 


90 


25.46 


: 65 


52 28 


40 


101.37 


114 


8.56 


89 


26.32 


i 64 


53-67 


39 


104.28 


113 


9 16 


88 


27.18 


1 ^3 


55-09 


! ^^ 


107.28 


I 12 


9.76 


87 


28.06 


62 


56-55 


i ^^ 


110.43 


11 I 


10.38 


86 


28.95 


61 


58.04 


1 36 


113.67 


I 10 


10.99 


85 


29.86 


60 


5958 


! 35 


117.07 


109 


11.62 


84 


30.78 


59 


61. 14 


1 
34 


121.66 


108 


,.35 


83 


31-73 


58 


62.77 


33 


125.36 


107 


12.89 


82 


32.69 


57 


64.42 


1 32 


129.26 


106 


13-58 


81 


33^7 


56 


66. 10 


3' 

: 30 


^33-33 

137-58 



(>nn^KS siioAHNG Allowance IN Mixin^Es FORAf.orRSE()F40 SxATi-ra Miles. 



- Piv/josedTimeAUowaiire. 

- 1 W s-( ntAUo\v(aiccAssuiM(d hPro/mrd 




as a standard ; and 

their similar di 

of a Gracie I lO feet W. L. and down lu ^o L^i W I. . m iiilri- 

The allowance is then calculated from the present book and 
set down at these intervals, and a curve passed through them. 

The line is a curve made in the samfc way, 

except that the length on W. L. is taken and calculateH from 
the ,„„i,<»,id Table. 



zrfiouft f^/Avy 




■^^OFTHENEV^-'"'*' 



020 237 023 



